STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date:
September 22, 2026
REGULAR
BUSINESS
23 SUBJECT: SCE PRESENTATION ABOUT TARGETED UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAMS
IN LAGUNA BEACH
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Receive a presentation from Southern California Edison regarding their Targeted Undergrounding projects within the City of Laguna Beach.
SUMMARY OF THE MATTER
As part of ongoing wildfire mitigation efforts, Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Targeted Undergrounding (TUG) program is focused on undergrounding overhead distribution lines in high fire risk areas. TUG is a focused initiative funded under the SCE general rate case approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). SCE has identified the highest risk power lines to underground throughout their entire service area, including several areas within the City of Laguna Beach. Preliminary maps of the proposed Laguna Beach projects are shown in Attachment 1. SCE is working on the design of the projects and has offered to update the City Council on each of the active projects within the City of Laguna Beach
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
There is no financial impact associated with the recommended action.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The recommended action is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, as receiving information is not a 'project' under CEQA and has no potential to result in a direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Preliminary SCE Project Maps
Submitted By: Thomas Perez Approved: .David A Kiff
Thomas Perez, Acting Director of
Public Works & Utilities
Dave Kiff, City Manager
Report Prepared By: Coordinated With:
Thomas Perez, Acting Director of Public Works
& Utilities